Moving the blog!

I am not sure how many people actually read this anymore...somehow life is not as interesting in New York as it was Malawi! LOL Facebook also manages to keep us all more connected...I love it! However, I am going to continue this blog, but I am moving it to another domain. Why, you ask? Well, I am moving it shutterfly because I literally have hundreds of pics downloaded on that site already, and I find it easier to use! Also, since we are not in Malawi, this name does not seem appropriate right now!
So for those of you checking this out, please bookmark a new page for us:
http://shwallace.shutterfly.com/
Thanks...and enjoy!!

Christmas 2008

I am emailing our Christmas letters this year, since with all our supporters from being overseas we have hundreds to send out! I have had many bounce back...wrong emails apparently! So while I still have many to send (I am sending them in batches) I thought I would post it here for those of you who may be interested! And if you are on our supporters list, but have a new email..let us know! Thanks!!

Hello everyone! Merry Christmas! We hope this letter finds you all enjoying this wonderful time of year when we celebrate the birth of our Savior! Our family is celebrating in a more traditional way this year! Last year we were in Malawi, Africa during the Christmas season. We were living there doing missions work. It was 95 degrees and sunny, there was very little commercialism, and we were al by ourselves! Though we loved the simplicity of the holiday, we missed our friends and family very much, so we are very happy to be able to spend the holiday with them this year! This year finds us in Troy, NY (near Albany) working at a wonderful little church here. For those who may not know, in April we came home from Malawi after breaking ties with Acts 3 Ministries. We stayed with Shawn’s parents for a few months, had several speaking engagements as missionary speakers, and eventually found ourselves candidating at Green Hills Alliance Church. It was small – on the verge of closing – but we are up to the challenge and are enjoying the people and the area. (I – Heather – DO NOT like winter, but am dealing!  ) We live in a nice area of the city in the top of a charming little brownstone. My brother in law says it reminds him of the Cosby Show from the outside! God provided fro us in amazing ways yet again as we did not have any furniture or anything to furnish our own place. Our stuff is from the shipping container that never went is still in Georgia, and the rest is in Malawi! Though we lack a year, there is plenty of room to play at the church, and some neat parks nearby. We are close to the library, a farmer’s market, and Little Italy – with some of the best Italian food ever! Come visit – it will be tight quarters, but lots of fun! So what about Malawi? Well we take each day and try to live in obedience to God. I don’t pretend to know all His plans anymore – I am just learning to enjoy all the different adventures and opportunities He gives! We continue to home school. John is in 6th grade, and started youth group this year! (I am feeling very old!) Anna is in 3rd grade, and Andrew is doing a combo of Kindergarten and 1st. RJ likes to think he’s in school, but his primary teachers are the Little Einstein kids and Backyardigans! When we first got back from Africa we were able to spend lots of time with family and friends. We started in Savannah with some of our closest friends – the Thomas family! We got to see both of our church families in that area – the Grace Church and the Port Wentworth CMA Church. We got to see Shawn’s good friend and mentor, Terry and Ruth Smith, as we made our way up the coast. When we finally made it all the way up North we were able to spend a few days with all of our parents and siblings (Except Dan and Heidi in Idaho…sniff, sniff!  ) We even spent some time in East Hampton with my sister Sommer and her family so Shawn could speak at their church. We spent to weeks in Kinsman, OH visiting our church family there and feeling very loved on! We were just getting back and feeling out of place and unsure of so much! It was wonderful to be able to spend a couple weeks with people who love us and know us so well! It was healing for us as well as the kids who got to go to VBS there and enjoy old friends! We were asked to speak at Delta Lake for Family Camp and Senior High Camp and absolutely loved that experience! It was the high light of the summer as we hung out with good friends (shout out to the Schuerholzes and Joneses!) and family! The kids got to know some second cousins and had a blast with them! IT was a wonderful time of spiritual renewal and fun!While the kids had their annual Cousin Camp with Shawn’s parents, Shawn and I were able to go to Canada to a friend’s cabin for a week of relaxation and prayer! (Thanks so much, McLaughlins!) Then we got together with Shawn’s extended family again for a celebration of Grandma Boda’s 95th birthday! It was great to be reminded of the wonderful heritage we have! We know that our family would not have survived this year with all it’s transitions and difficulties without your prayers and love. We felt like we had finally gotten settle in Malawi after 8 months just to pick up and have to transition back to the States again! There have been a lot of things that you have prayed for this year…Andrew’s foot surgery in Malawi, our ministry there and for protection when we had to go against leaders in Islam and witchcraft! You prayed as we had to make the decision to come back to the States, and as we worked though all these issues and emotions! You prayed as we floundered around this summer trying to figure out what was next! And you have been praying (again) as we adjust to life in another new place! Shawn and I thank you for your love and compassion to us, and as parents we thanks you, especially, for keeping our children uplifted – you are all so special to us! If you want to keep up with our lives (or see more pics besides the ones I am sending with this letter) you can check out our blog spot: http://www.malawiwally.blogspot.com/ . Or, if you are “Facebookers” you can look us up – we each have a page! Our other info:Home number: (518) 326- 1817, Cell: (607) 279-2244Address: 154 3rd Street, Troy, NY 12180Email: shawnheather96@yahoo.comGod bless you all this season! Shawn, Heather, John, Anna, Andrew, and RJ Wallace

mediocrity???

I am realizing that there is a pattern in my life that I think I have probably always followed. Recently I have taken up a little hobby of painting. My father in law gave me some basic pointers on oil painting while he was here, and I have made a few mediocre paintings...not bad for a beginner, I am told, but certainly nothing to rave about. I picked up some water color pencils the other day and used those to color in some drawings I made to add texture and depth. Once again...not bad, but nothing great. (Though it was a lot cleaner and faster...my kind of thing! LOL!) I am also a good cook...but not great; a good writer - even a few publishings - but not spectacular; I can carry a tune, but my voice isn't rich and deep; I play a "mean" bunch of chords or worship music, but don't ask me to read the hymnal or I will definitely choke; I've done some speaking recently and enjoy it, but have heard better. Mediocrity seems to be the theme of my life! On top of that, when I get tired of something, I stop doing whatever it is...scrapbooking, crafting, decorating, etc! I guess that's probably why I never get past "fine" to "wow!"
So I was thinking over things in my life and I am so thankful that there are few things I cannot just quit when I am tired of it! Being a fulltime mom and teacher and wife is tiring and can be boring sometimes! (Shocker, I know!) But if there was ever anything that I am determined to master, it is these roles in my life! It seems the more I do and the harder I try, the worse I think I am becoming, though! It can be relentless and challenging...but it can also be rewarding and fulfilling!
Take this day, for example...
We got up this morning and I was cold and grumpy and suffering from a "Nyquil hangover." I HATE cold weather and winter (in case you didn't know that about me!) and so facing each winter day is a struggle for me anyway. The kids had a pile of work to do for school, including 2 tests for John. He is at the end of his second unit, so there are a ton of things that he is learning and having to be tested in, but I have not done a great job at teaching him to study, so I was dreading that aspect of the day. Shawn came home early and helped me do school, and though I should have been happy about that, it just made me feel even more like I was failing! (I should note that he, in no way, made me feel this way!) By mid afternoon I was in my room crying about failing at life and missing my life in Malawi and hating the weather, and grieving about news I heard from a friend of things that she will be facing...I was overwhelmed and wanted to just give up and go to sleep!
But this is life, not a hobby or a whim. I cannot just give up. I could settle for mediocrity, but I desire so much more than that for my kids and my marriage! The people in this house are the one thing I will push on for.
And God is good...he willl not give me more than I can handle, even when I do not feel like I can handle what he has put in front of me!
By the end of the day we had conquered a few tests (with good grades!) and were even able to get ahead with a few lessons! The house is not clean, but we enjoyed the kids this afternoon. I look forward to doing some painting tomorrow with my extremely talented daughter - who will end up drawing and painting a lot better than her mom!
I guess I am willing to settle for mediocrity in the areas of my life that are not important in the eternal perpective.(crafting, singing, cleaning, cooking, etc) But I am not willing to be less than what God has designed me to be. So I will push on and pray! (Even though they are calling for the dreaded snow tonight!) I encourage you to do the same!

Jesu ndi Wabwino

It's been a while since my last post and I still don't really know what to write about. There is a lot of things happening in our lives and inside of each of us, but not things that would be of interest to most of you...or things I want to post all about! LOL!
Recently Shawn and I met with a man from SIM about missions opportunities. Though there are a lot of exciting ones, and I think the organization is a wonderful one, we cannot really think through those things right now. We told him that we needed to focus on the church here now for the next year, like we committed to. Then there is the continuing issue of our school debt still being there...SIM doesn't let you go with any outstanding amount. So here we are again, and here I am again feeling helpless. Though I suppose that is the best place to be, since God needs to be the one to make things happen and put things into place. We want to be sure that He is opening doors and sending us next time!
We have continued to hear from the guys in Malawi and Shawn is doing an online discipleship process with them. They are no longer part of acts 3 and are kind of floundering trying to figure out what is next. I still have a heart for them and honestly am praying that God opens doors for us to be abck with them someday.
But now we are here. And we met with a counselor this week to go through some of the things that happened over the last year. It was such a relief to have her give us permission to grieve and mourn and to do that in the way that is best for each of us. She encouraged us to love each other and be patient. I think we have an amazing marriage...but I am never against getting godly counsel from people...especially ones who have "been there, done that!" This couple was in AFrica for many years as missionaries and now do a lot of counseling with other missionaries.
Things seem to be going well at the church. The kids are making friends and there are some people that we are getting to know that I really like. God is Good!

what's up with my 6 year old?

So we are going trunk or treating this Friday at the Hoosick Falls Alliance Church. We had not planned to do anyhting after many lengthy discussions, but decided this was easy enough and was a good way to get the kids out and doing something! (Plus then we do not have to buy candy to hand out! I know, I am cheap!) Anyway...after I told the kids we were going, we all decide to look in their rooms to find costumes because I am not spending money on anything! (Again...cheap!) It was easy enough...there is an abundance of spider man and superman pjs, light sabers, and hunting supplies inthis house! And Anna wanted to be a bunny...simply wear grey sweat suit, tape ears on a headband, add a little face paint and pin a tail on - VOILA - bunny! RJ can't decide between Spiderman or superman - or bob the builder, but we have the hat! And John wants to be a soldier. Andrew on the other hand...he comes to me and says, "I want to be a platypus." WHAT? I don't even know if I can spell that right (did I?) How can I make a costume like that out of what we have in the house? So...I am asking for any creative ideas you may have! LOL!

Christmas is coming...

I LOVE Christmas! I admit it, I am one of those crazy people who counts down to the second that she can decorate her house! And I like having it up as long as possible! I just love it!! And I am glad to be in a place where it is soooo over commercialized this year! Yes, I just said that! Don't get me wrong...I know advertisers are using the holiday to make money, and they play on people's emotions and whatnot. I guess that is not the part I mean. And I certainly don't mean the part of going into debt or taking out a loan to buy gifts! But I LOVE the decorations, the songs, the hype that starts about his time of year! I love the count downs and the pagents and the times of seeing family! And I do love Christmas shopping for my kids...though we defintitely keep it a lot more simple than many people do! And I missed all this stuff last year in Malawi!
It was like I woke up a week before Christmas and say, "Oh yeah. I should get some gifts!" Ok, not quite like that. But I did go shopping the week before and there was no crowds or anything. That meant there was also no sales. No decorations. No Christmas music. There was a brief encounter of it in the "Game" store (a mini Walmart wanna be with hot pink signs!) But when I asked other missionaries how and where they shopped for Christmas, most told me they brought stuff from the States. And since we did not ever send the shipping container that was impossible! We had a great holiday - friends had dinner with us (ham and bean soup, fresh fruit, and chocoalte cake) and we LOVED hanging out on our porch in shorts and our swimsuits! (The kids in their swimsuits - not me!) I didn't miss the snow even one hundredth of a second!
However, this year I get to partake in the after thanksgiving craziness of shopping, the beautiful, twinkling lights and Chrsitmas carols that start in October! I am excited for my good old American Christmas! Now, if I could just get our tree here from Georgia...

A Three-year olds pick-up line!

So, we are at the NYS Museum this week and we are waiting for the carousel to open so the kids can ride. There is another little girl there (who happens to be African American, which makes this even funnier!) We are chatting with her - she is a funny little 3 or 4 year old! I say, "What horse do you like?" She responds, "The white one!" Without missing a beat RJ says, "HEY! I'M WHITE!" Crazy mzungu! LOL!